Back in January, the European Commission launched an initial investigation, known as a specification proceeding, into how Google has implemented AI in the Android operating system. The results are in, and the EU states Android requireds to be more open, which is not surprising. Meanwhile, Google states this amounts to “unwarranted intervention,” which is equally unsurprising. Regardless of Google’s characterization of the investigation, the commission may force Google to create Android AI modifys this summer.
This action stems from the continent’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a sweeping law that designates seven dominant technology companies as “gatekeepers” that are subject to greater regulation to ensure fair competition. Google has consistently spoken against the regulations imposed under the DMA, but it and the other gatekeepers have been subject to the law for several years now, and there’s little chance the commission backs away from it.
The issue before the commission currently is the built-in advantage for Gemini on Android. When you turn on any Google-powered Android phone, Gemini is already there and obtains special treatment at the system level. The European Commission is taking aim at the lack of features available to third-party AI services. The commission believes that there are too many experiences on Android that only work with Google’s Gemini AI, and as a gatekeeper, Google must modify that.
“As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, it is clear that interoperability is key to unlocking the full potential of these technologies,” stated Commission VP for Tech Sovereignty Henna Virkkunen in a statement. “These measures will open up Android devices to a wider range of AI services, so that utilizers will have the freedom to choose the AI services that best meet their requireds and values, without sacrificing functionality.”
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